Food order forms

It was recently brought to our attention that some families are not receiving all the paper communications being sent home.  Generally, papers and forms are put in agendas or communication folders, but some students choose to place them loose in backpacks.  Please ask your child for all papers, and maybe do a quick check of his/her bag!

Currently, there are a few forms for lunch opportunities.  Please look for the Pizza Order form, the Lunch Pail order form, and Hot Lunch program order forms.  There are extra forms available in the office if you don't have them.

From Anna DiBartolo

Welcome back to another school year.

I am happy to extend a warm welcome to our returning students and families and those who are new to our Board. I am the trustee for your child’s school and your representative on the York Region District School Board of Trustees.

I am looking forward to continuing my work to ensure that all YRDSB students receive a high-quality education within safe, caring and inclusive learning environments.

In the coming year, trustees will continue to focus on the priorities that we set out in our Multi-Year Plan: student achievement and well-being, the delivery of effective and sustainable educational programs and the responsible stewardship of Board resources.  

We know that partnerships with families are essential to achieving this goal. Good schools become better schools when they are connected to parents and families.

I hope that you will find positive and meaningful ways to engage with your child’s school over the course of the year. There will be many events and activities to look forward to throughout the year and many opportunities across the Region that support parent engagement.

2015-16 promises to be an exciting year. All the best for the upcoming school year!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back Pine Grove P.S. families!  
We are thrilled to be back at school, starting a new year.  A warm welcome to our new Principal, Greg Brown.  Mr. Brown encourages you to come by the office to say hello.  We also have a few new faces among our teaching staff.  Leigh-Anne Chittle is teaching grade 2, Jenna Shae is teaching grade 3/4, Jennifer Zingaro in special education, and Queenie Ho is teaching music. Welcome back to Daniella Giordana who is our Reading Recovery teacher for the year.

We value the strong partnerships we have with our families and the community.  Ongoing and open communication between home and school is essential to your child’s success.  We also encourage our parents to become involved in the life of the school by taking the opportunity to attend School Council Meetings, volunteer in the library and/or classrooms or attend school trips.  Look for upcoming dates and invitations in future monthly newsletters, the school message board located as you drive into the school and/or from your child’s teacher.  We look forward to seeing you in the school.

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

          

We have organized classrooms based on the most  recent enrollment and following Ministry/Board regulations and guidelines. There may be further changes in the next few weeks depending on actual numbers of students in the building.  We will keep you informed as we move ahead.

A word about combined classes:

Some of your children are in combined classes. This is a result of there being a cumbersome number of  students at particular grade levels. Sometimes, there are too many students to form one class, but not enough students to form two classes. In these situations, students from two different grade levels are grouped together to form a combined class.

Educational literature shows that children in combined grade groupings function at a level that is comparable to children in a straight grade. Student achievement is not compromised. In addition, the research suggests that multi-age grouping is associated with a more positive self-concept and an enhanced attitude              towards  learning.

When we consider students for a combined class, the following criteria is considered:

- a balance according to gender

- work habits, maturity, co-operation

- a balance of ability, interests, and talents

- social or behavioral considerations

- ESL or Special Education needs

- Learning styles of the students

The placement of your child in the higher grade of a split class does not mean that your child has not met curriculum requirements. If your child is in the lower grade, they are not necessarily ahead of their peers in a straight grade.

Educational research supports many benefits for students in combined classes, including:

- the development of independent learning skills

- students learn from each other

- the enhancement of social/emotional development

- leadership opportunities for students

Rest assured, your child’s education will not be compromised by being placed in a combined class.

                                                                         

School Hours and Disruptions

Parents, guardians and students are reminded to be aware of school entry, recess and dismissal times.  We encourage students to be on time for school, as late arrivals cause disruptions to a class that is already in session.  If your child will be absent, or late, please contact the school.  Additionally, if a student needs to leave early for an appointment, please send a note to your child’s teacher that morning with the details thus eliminating the need for the office to have to call into the classroom and disrupt the class.  Where possible, arrangements should be made ahead of time. 

Freedom of Information 

The York Region District School Board recognizes and highlights the significant achievements of our students through a variety of sources—front hall displays, school and board publications, as well as in the media and on our computer web site, special fundraising events that attract media attention, recordings and displays for events such as graduations and seasonal celebrations. We believe this recognition is essential to enhance our students’ self esteem and to foster a positive school environment. To enable us to be in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act we request that those parents/guardians who do NOT want their child(ren)’s accomplishments recognized, work displayed or photographs and videos taken for this purpose, please notify Mr. Brown in writing.  Please discuss with your child the detailed information included in the Guide To The 2015-2016 School Year brochure provided by the Board regarding the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act .

Anaphylaxis Safety

School staff and parents are responsible for creating safe and healthy environments for students.  This is an additional challenge for schools attended by children with allergies, especially life-threatening allergies.  While we take every step to create a safe environment, school staff and parents can take important steps to minimize potentially fatal allergic reactions as there are implications for the whole school, not just individual classrooms. Several of our students have severe allergic reactions if they come in contact with certain allergens. Even a trace amount or airborne particles can trigger a reaction. In order to ensure the health and well-being of these students we have a Peanut and Nut Sensitive Policy in our school. Please ensure that your child does not bring in any nuts or nut products.  Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and commitment to everyone  our school community.  

Bus Transportation 

The only children allowed on school buses are those eligible as per the transportation policy. Students using Board transportation are responsible to the bus driver and school administration for her/his conduct while traveling on the bus. In the event of inappropriate behaviour, bus privileges may be withdrawn.  It is recommended that parents wait with their child for the bus as well as meet the bus upon the child’s return. Children in Kindergarten will NOT be let off the bus in the event a parent/guardian is not there to meet the bus. The child is returned to the school and you will be phoned to come and get your child. As school buses may be at full capacity, students must ride on the bus to which they are assigned. Students are not allowed to ride on a friend’s bus.  Students will not be permitted to phone home to request permission to ride on a friend’s bus.

All YRDSB students in Grades JK-3 who live within 1.2 km of their school are not eligible for transportation.

All YRDSB students in Grades 4-8 who live within 1.6 km of their school are not eligible for transportation.

Contact schoolbuscity.com for information regarding your child’s bus route and bus stops.

  Recording School Events and Safety

School events and performances are wonderful experiences during which your child has the  opportunity to showcase his/her talents and achievements.  The photographs and videos you capture will provide memories for a lifetime.  To respect the privacy of others, please do not post personal photos or  videos  publically , such as  on YouTube or Facebook.  Even if your Facebook account is private only to friends, that still infringes upon the privacy of others such as parents, staff and particularly students whose images appear in your photos without their permission or knowledge.

   

Outdoor Activity

All students are required to go outside twice a day. Please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately to go outdoors. All  students should have an outdoor pair of shoes or boots, as well as an indoor pair of shoes to wear in the classroom and for physical education. Children go outside for all recesses unless the weather does not permit it. Students who are ILL SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL until completely recovered as indoor supervision is NOT provided during recess.

Picnic reminder

The school council looks forward to seeing everyone at the Bring Your Own Blanket Picnic (BYOB) on Wednesday, June 17th.  It will be held from 6-8pm.  Fire Truck visit, a dance, and various games have all been planned for the evening. Please remember to bring your blanket to sit on.  Also, limited quantities of food will be available from M and M at a cost of $3 (in case you missed the opportunity to pre-order your food for the evening).

News from the Learning Commons

News from the Learning Commons

Forest of Reading Official Results from the Ontario Library Association

In mid-May final results for the Forest of Reading Program were shared with students across Ontario.  Congratulations to the many students at Pine Grove who participated in the program through our school library, these students will be receiving certificates for their efforts at our school awards assembly on June 17th.

“WAY TO GO PINE GROVE STUDENTS” – keep reading!

The following Canadian book titles have been chosen by students across Ontario as their favourite book and have been designated to receive the Forest of Reading Award for their category.
AWARD RECEIVED	BOOK TITLE	AUTHOR(S)
Blue Spuce K - 2	The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten	Maureen Fergus
Silver Birch Express Grade 3 - 4	Kung Pow Chicken, Let’s Get Cracking	Cyndi Marko
Silver Birch Fiction Grade 5 - 6	The Night Gardner	Jonathan Auxier
Silver Birch Non-Fiction Grade 5 - 6	Annaleise Carr:  How I Conquered  Lake Ontario to Help Kids Battling Cancer	Annaleise Carr,  Deborah Ellis
Red Maple Fiction Grade 7 - 8	The Rule of Three	Eric Walters
Red Maple Non-Fiction Grade 7 - 8	The Last Train:  A Holocaust Story	Rona Arato
Please go to www.accessola.org for more information about the Ontario Forest of Reading Programs.

Reminder:  Lost Library Books

As we get closer to the end of the school year, we ask that all parents help their children find any lost Pine Grove library books at home.  If lost books are not found by the middle of June, the school will be asking parents for a reimbursement for the replacement of the lost book.

Thank you also to all the students who have diligently returned their library books in good condition.  Borrowing library books, respecting the rules of returning books and paying for lost or damaged books is a huge student responsibility.  Thank you for keeping our books safe and for returning them so others can use them in the future! 

Families are reminded that if any library books are found during the summer they are to be returned to the library in September.  If you have kindly paid for a lost book and you find it during the summer, we will gladly return your money once the book is returned to us. 

Volunteer social

Volunteer Social on June 17th @ 12:05 - 1:05 

Pine Grove Public School volunteers are asked to check their child's backpack for their Volunteer Social invitation.  Light refreshments will be served and our school's volunteers will receive certificates of recognition from the YRDSB.  Please ensure you return your response as soon as possible.  If you have not yet received your invitation, please contact your child's teacher. Thank you in advance to all of our dedicated volunteers!

Trustee Message

Please read the message below from our Trustee, Anna DeBartolo:

As the 2014-15 school year winds down, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our parents and guardians for their ongoing support of our students throughout the year. We know that parents are our most important partners when it comes to educating your children.  Good schools become better schools when they are connected with parents and families.

During the year, I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some of the many student performances, sporting events and cultural celebrations that take place in schools across our region. These events would not take place without the support of our school staff. I would like to thank the staff for their work to support student achievement and well-being.

Summer is a great time to relax and pursue hobbies or activities that complement the learning that took place over the school year. Whether you visit a museum, enjoy nature or just catch up on some summer reading, I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.